What is a Parish Council?

A parish council makes decisions on behalf of the people in the parish - is the lowest level of government and closest to the community, with the district authority (Babergh) above it and the county council (Suffolk) above Babergh.

As it is the authority closest to the people, parish councils are often a first stop for people who have concerns or ideas about the parish. For this reason they are an important part of any community.

What powers do parish councils have?

They have a wide range of powers related to local matters, such as looking after community buildings, open space, allotments, burial grounds, play areas, street lighting, drainage, footpaths, highways, bus shelters, car parks and more. The council also has the power to raise money through taxation, the precept. The precept is the parish council's share of the council tax. The precept demand goes to the billing authority, the district council, which collects the tax for the parish council.

What decisions do Parish Councils make?

Parish councils make decisions on issues that affect the local community. The most common topics that parish councils get involved with are planning (we are statutory consultees), crime prevention, managing open spaces, campaigning for and delivering better services and facilities. Parish councils have limited powers to make decisions, but do have the ability to negotiate with and influence (to a degree) those other organisations that do make final decisions (such as the borough council, local health authorities, police etc). The organisations that make final decisions know that a parish council will provide input on how the community feels about a particular issue and as such will take its view into account.

Becoming a Parish Councillor

There re currently several vacancies on Sproughton Parish Council and we are looking for new councillors to join the council. Councillors can be elected (upcoming May elections) or co-opted (between elections) for a period of up to 4years. Becoming a councillor will give you the opportunity to contribute to your local community and get more involved in issues that are important to you. If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor please contact Mrs Sue Frankis (contact details below)

How much time does it take up?

Councils usually meet once a month for the council meeting, to which members of the public are also invited. Meetings can last up to 2hrs, depending on the agenda. Some councils have committees to deal with specific subjects e.g village hall complex. In addition to the regular meetings, councillors are sometimes required to attend other meeting representing the council e.g. acting as a representative on an outside body, community activities or helping develop a new project for the community.

Eligibility

To stand for election on a parish council a candidate must:

be a UK or commonwealth citizen, or;

be a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or;

be a citizen of another Member state of the European Union;

be a least 18 years old.

To be eligible to stand for an election for a particular parish a candidate must:

be an elector of the parish, or;

for the whole of the previous 12 months have occupied (as owner or tenant) land or other premises in the parish, or;

during the previous 12 months have worked in the parish (as your principal or only place of work), or;

for the whole of the previous 12 months lived in the parish or within three miles of the parish boundary.

If you do become a parish councillor you will have to sign up to the Code of Conduct.